EMBARK: HOW GEORGIA IS
HELPING FOSTER AND
HOMELESS YOUTH
David Meyers & Lori Tiller
February 18, 2014
Session Objectives Part I
• Why are we here?
• National scan
• Embark
• Self-Assessment
• Q&A
• Participant Challenge
Definition of foster youth
Foster care means 24-hour substitute care for
children placed away from their parents or
guardians and for whom the State agency has
placement and care responsibility. This includes,
but is not limited to, placements in foster family
homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes,
emergency shelters, residential facilities, child
care institutions, and preadoptive homes.
Definition of Homeless/Unaccompanied youth
Individuals whose nighttime residence is NOT:
• Fixed: stationary, permanent, and not subject to
change
• Regular: used on a predictable, routine, or consistent
basis
• Adequate: sufficient for meeting both the physical
and psychological needs typically met in the home
(42 U.S.C.§11434A(2)(B)(i))
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY):
• Homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent
or guardian; in practical terms, this means the youth
does not live with the parent or guardian.
Foster Care and Education
399,546
2.8
• Number of children and youth in foster care on 9/30/2012
• Average number of living arrangements during first FC stay
249,107
• Number of foster children of school age
2x others
• Likelihood of being absent from school
56% - 75%
• Percent of foster youth who change school when first entering care
34%
• Percent of 17-18 year olds in care who have experienced 5+ school changes
3x others
• Likelihood of 17-18 year old foster youth being expelled
7th grade
• Average reading level of 17-18 years olds in foster care
50%
• Percent of foster youth who complete high school by 18
84%
• Percent of 17-18 year old foster youth who want to go to college
20%
• Percent of foster youth who graduated from high school who attend college
9%
• Percent of former foster youth who attain a certificate/AA/bachelor's degree
A few examples of DFCS initiatives in Georgia…
• IDA accounts for youth administered through
DHS
• ETV federal funds administered through
DFCS/ILP
• EPAC Unit at DFCS created to provide
comprehensive educational support (Educational
Programming, Assessment and Consultation)
• Recent Data Sharing agreement between DFCS
and GaDOE
Initiatives inspired by the
Georgia College Access Challenge Grant
• Creation of a network of post-secondary institutions who
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communicate the specific needs of this population (Embark)
Creating on campus programming (USG/TCSG)
Increased opportunities for exposure to college
environments such as pre-collegiate experiences (CACG)
Training, coaching, and mentoring (ODB)
Develop a section of GA College411 that is specifically
designed for foster/homeless youth (GSFC)
Bring Apply to College and FAFSA events to ILP groups and
group homes (GSFC)
WHAT IS HAPPENING
NATIONALLY TO SUPPORT
THIS WORK?
Casey Family Programs - Supporting Success
NAEHCY - College Access and Success
• Program Development Highlights:
• Designated Leader (DL)/Special Points of Contact (SPOC)
• Internal and External Champions
• Collaborations with Community Agencies
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Staff Peer Support and Professional Development
• Sustainability Planning
• Direct Support Highlights
• Housing
• Financial Aid
• Academic Advising, Career Counseling and Supplemental Support
National Movement to Increase Supports:
Promising Practices in Other States
Campus Based Programs
 Based on Casey Family Programs: Supporting Success
• Financial Support
• Academic Support
• Social/Emotional Support
• Designated Points of Contact on Campuses
Statewide Networks of Support
 Promote connectivity and sharing of ideas among Technical
and University campuses
• Regional meetings and Statewide conferences
• Web based communication and social networking
• Technical assistance for program development and enhancement
California
Goals of Guardian Scholars Program:
• Short-term outcomes include sustaining academic
progress towards educational goals which includes youth
obtaining college course credit for all units attempted
each semester.
• Long-term goals include youth obtaining and graduating
with bachelor’s degree.
http://www.fullerton.edu/guardianscholars/
Michigan
• Statewide Network:
• Fostering Success Michigan
• Western Michigan University Seita Scholars Program
• Reside on-campus;
• Maintain full-time student status;
• Take a seminar course for Seita scholars;
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress;
• Participate in academic monitoring;
• Abide by university codes for campus living;
• Attend all classes;
• Attend scheduled program events;
• Pay bills on time;
• Meet regularly with a program advisor;
• Refrain from working off campus;
• Campus coaches to help navigate campus life.
http://fosteringsuccessmichigan.com/
Washington
• College Success Foundation
• Washington College Access Network
• College Bound Scholarship
• Specific Initiatives for Foster Youth
• Make it Happen
• Passport to College Regional Summits
• The Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth
• Passport to College Promise Scholarship
• Washington University
• Champions Program
http://www.collegesuccessfoundation.org/
http://depts.washington.edu/omadcs/champions/
Virginia
• Great Expectations
• Individualized tutoring
• Help applying for college admission and financial aid
• Career exploration and coaching
• Help applying for and keeping a job
• Life skills training, including managing finances
• Personalized counseling
• Student mentors
http://greatexpectations.vccs.edu/
15
Reach states
• Texas http://www.texasreach.org/
• Ohio http://ohioreach.wikispaces.com/
• Alabama http://www.reach.ua.edu/
• North Carolina http://www.ncreach.org/
• Missouri http://www.fc2sprograms.org/mo-reach/
EMBARK UGA:
Campus Based Support Program
Embark UGA will increase
the opportunities for UGA
students who have
experienced foster care or
homelessness by providing
supports that promote
success and well-being
beyond an education.
Financial support has been provided through
USG/CACG, Casey Family Programs and Community
Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
Existing Georgia Campus Programs
Institutions with existing programs of support or
interest in developing programs:
• Kennesaw State University (Homeless Specific)
• Savannah State University
• Georgia Gwinnett College
• Georgia State University
• Southeastern Technical College (Swainsboro campus)
• Georgia Tech
• Others??
Embark Georgia: Statewide Network
The Embark Georgia
statewide network
serves post-secondary
professionals and
institutions to ensure
connectivity, share best
practices, and provide
information exchange
among youth,
community based
stakeholders, and K-12
education.
SELF ASSESSMENT
How ready is your campus?
Contact Information
David Meyers
Lori Tiller
Public Service Faculty
(706) 542-5062 - Office
dmeyers@fanning.uga.edu
Public Service Faculty
(706) 583-5532 - Office
lrl@fanning.uga.edu
J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
University of Georgia
1240 S. Lumpkin Street
Athens, GA 30604
embark@fanning.uga.edu
www.fanning.uga.edu
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Sources:
• Georgia College Access Toolkit (include web address)
• NAEHCY Toolkit
• Supporting Success
Fostering Success in Education: National Factsheet on the Educational Outcomes
of Children in Foster Care